www.bonsaitreeforums.com - Shimpaku Juniper in rock

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Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/01/21 04:56 Hello, I am new to BOnsai, i have been through one full year now, and i was wanting to try planting some small plants in a rock. I have hollowed out several "cups" in the rock in different positions. The holes are about 2" diameter, and 2" deep. I put drainage holes, and tie wire holes in the bottom. Will Shimpaku Juniper cuttings live in a setup like this? My cuttings are showing new roots, so i think im getting close. Just want to see if anyone knows if im wasting my time? I would think a bonsai nakadama mix would be right. Any suggestions would be great

Thanks again
Brad

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iamurthman

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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/01/21 07:09 Hi Brad, Here's two junipers that I planted in this pumice rock last spring. So far they've survived the winter outside, even froze a couple of times. The pumice is absorbent and to water I set the whole stone in a pan of water till it soaks full. I carved my holes so the bottoms are flared and convex so no wires are needed once the trees root in good. I used regular premium grade potting soil and not much of it, just enough to cover the roots. I think your set up will work just as well. love to see a pic. Last one I did got burned up by leaving it out in the full sun. lesson learned: rocks get hot in the sun, moist soil and roots cook in hot stone.

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digger714

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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/02/04 07:49 I think ill sit my rock in a pan of water to helpfully keep it cooler. It is still pourous enough to keep the whole thing damp. Im waiting on my junipers to finish rooting good, and ill get to work. Thanks for the thoughts. Ill get some pics up if it turns out.

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peredoz
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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/02/04 07:55 Here is some info on growing shimpaku juniper http://bonsaing.blogspot.com/2010/01/junipers-dont-pinch-too-much.html
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Jakes

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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/02/04 14:58 Hi, I truly do not think that you should keep the rock in a pan of water, as junipers need the water to drain fast and not stay soaked.
Rather water your junipers more often. And let the junipers have +- 4hours of sun and then put them back under the shaded cloth.

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iamurthman

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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/02/04 15:56 Hi Jakes, welcome to the forum!

You are right, partially, about keeping the rock in water. I only put the rock in water to water the tree in summertime, but when temps get high (90+) I keep the bottom third of the rock in water and by osmosis this keeps the soil evenly moist. Otherwise I would have to water several times a day as there's very little soil in the holes. My set-up allows 2-3 hrs of full sun in the am and filtered light during the day with another splash on sun in the pm. I'm under two large trees that provide shade during the heat of the day. There's about 15 junies out there, little shohin to omg that's a big bonsai, and they all say they're quite happy, in spite of being constantly saturated by the incessant rains here in Oregon's winter.
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digger714

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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/02/06 05:27 Thanks urthman, thats what i was thinking also. Do you have any pictures of your setup? Would love to see a pros view. Thanks again.

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Jakes

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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/02/08 07:44 Hi iamurthman, yes that makes perfect sence. You have no idea how I am strugling to get my needle junipers to sprout. Can you maybe give me some link or advice on how to go about getting a seed to sprout from the stratification period, watering, soil, to sun, and to areas where they should be kept. Because currently they are in a window recieving 3hours of direct sunlight and the rest of the day just normal outside light. I'm watering them about once a day and the soil is a mix of something you can call close to akadama and "bonsai soil mix" that we buy here in shouth africa, and fertilizer every 3 weeks. Any hints? 5 years is a long time to wait. I'd rather order a seedling from somewhere.

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iamurthman

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Re:Shimpaku Juniper in rock - 2010/02/08 15:19 Hi Jakes, after much searching I found this blurb on starting Junie seeds-The Juniper seeds are going to take a bit more work than any of the other seeds that I have worked with to this point. They will need a hot water soak, one month of warm stratification (a new step for me), and finally two months of cold stratification before I can plant them.- Another suggestion was to plant the seeds in a flat and allow the flat to sit outside all winter. Warm strat. was described as keeping the seeds in a moist medium at room temp for a month. For help finding seedlings or stock in your area try contacting the South African Bonsai Association.

Post edited by: iamurthman, at: 2010/02/08 15:35
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Jakes

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